Programme Officer – Project Financing, P-3

Vacancy Announcement

Secretariat of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)

 Division of Project Facilitation and Support (PFS)

Publication Date:                                            11 March2024

Deadline for Application:                              10 April 2024 (at midnight, Abu Dhabi Local Time)

Title and Grade:                                             Programme Officer – Project Financing, P-3 

Indicative Annual Salary:                             (a.) Annual Net Salary: USD 64,121.00 to USD 73,463

                                                                       (b.) Post Adjustment: USD 47,064.81 to USD 53,921.84[2]

Duration of Appointment:                          One Year, with possible extension

Duty Station:                                               Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates     

Entry on Duty:                                            As soon as possible

Background

The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) is an inter-governmental organisation mandated with the widespread and increased adoption and sustainable use of all forms of renewable energy. At present, IRENA has 169 Members (168 States and the European Union) that acceded to its Statute, and 15 additional States in the process of accession. IRENA supports countries in their transition to a sustainable energy future and serves as the principal platform for international cooperation, a centre of excellence, and a repository of policy, technology, resource, and financial knowledge on renewable energy. The Agency implements its mandate with the view of sustainable development, increased energy security, and low-carbon economic growth and prosperity.

The Project Facilitation and Support (PFS) division integrates all the previous initiatives of IRENA related to project facilitation. It has an ambitious goal to achieve a tangible impact by facilitating funding and investments for promising projects, co-organising regional Investment Forums with matchmaking events, and fostering cooperation between international institutions that have compatible objectives.

The core of the PFS modus-operandi is to facilitate and support IRENA Member States to achieve their Nationally Determined Contribution renewable energy targets by building a solid pipeline of projects covering the entire project size spectrum from utility scale projects, to commercial and industrial level, and micro & small level projects, as well as energy efficiency measures. This includes facilitating their realization through a comprehensive set of operational tools including – but not limited to – project-based technical assistance packages, targeted de-risking instruments and structured capacity building.

The division hosts the Climate Investment Platform (CIP), as well as the Energy Transition Accelerator Finance (ETAF) Platform. Both CIP and ETAF are inclusive, multi-stakeholder climate finance platforms, which pursue facilitating capital mobilisation to scale up the development of renewable energy projects to advance the energy transition across developing markets.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of the Director of PFS and the direct supervision of the Head of the Project Financing Unit, the Programme Officer (PO) P-3 will primarily engage on the Agency’s work related to RE investment scale-up.  In particular: 

• Facilitate procedures, knowledge and matchmaking measures to ease access to finance in the context of IRENA project facilitation and support tools; 
• Perform feasibility and bankability analysis of projects submitted to IRENA through the Energy Transition Accelerator Financing Platform (ETAF);
• Facilitate development and co-funding of projects shortlisted in the ETAF;
• Contribute in the development of the ETAF and CIP Platforms, as well as other initiatives and tools of the division;
• Coordinate with other funds and development partners for project support and additional funding;
• Follow up, engagement and facilitation of the IRENA Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) Facility activities;
• Perform regional and sub-regional dialogues to support RE investments within IRENA’s ETAF Platform;
• Leverage resources from International Financial Institutions, public and private financiers and convene matchmaking with RE projects pipeline;
• Support the creation of new instruments and mechanisms for financing large, medium and small scale renewable energy projects;
• Develop and implement initiatives to increase the impact of IRENA’s ETAF in the energy transition;
• Contribute with IRENA’s ETAF engagement to accelerate renewable energy investments, through building a pipeline of bankable projects with the support of ETAF Partners as well as representatives of IRENA member states;
• Liaise with registered ETAF partners regarding projects and initiatives of IRENA as well as proposals that meet their eligibility criteria; and give feedback to registered partners on relevant matters. The PO will coordinate the different actions and ensure seamless cooperation among stakeholders;
• Contribute in the preparation of matchmaking events and investment forums;
• Contribute to the preparation of state-of-the-art reports and other written material and lead effective outreach activities (workshops, conference participation, webinars, etc.);
• Engage with representatives of IRENA member states, public and private finance institutions, and project developers in order to disseminate IRENA’s project facilitation tools and increase their impact;
• Monitor the renewable energy investment landscape, reviewing other initiatives that are comparable or relevant to the work of PFS, make recommendations on the best way to engage them, and take initiatives to maximise the efforts, leverage synergies and avoid duplications;
• Maintain close working relationships with other teams in PFS and other divisions of IRENA;
• Work with other PFS Teams in order to build and present proposals for voluntary contributions related to the work of the Division;
• Oversee the performance of assigned junior personnel and provides guidance and mentorship to their work and professional development;
• Perform other duties as assigned.

    Competencies

Professionalism: Deep knowledge of renewable energy finance, project finance and project management, with a particular focus on developing countries. Familiarity with renewable energy economics and technologies. Ability to assess and guide RE projects developers. Ability to identify issues, formulate options and make conclusions and recommendations. Demonstrates professional competence in subject matter and pays attention to detail. Experienced in engaging and working with development financing institutions (DFIs), multilateral development bank (MDB), and financial institutions (FIs); is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Experience in working in international multicultural environments.

Communication: Excellent communication, negotiation and presentation skills, both oral and written; creates and promotes enabling environment for open communication; listens to others and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed and enjoys public speaking and negotiation skills. Ability to review and edit the work of others. Having an international exposure to different energy communities is required.

Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. Able to organize, direct, delegate and follow up work among the team.

Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to clients.

Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.

Innovation: Ability to generate ideas and solution for complex problems with high quality, applicable and affordable solutions.

Qualifications

Education: Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in engineering, finance, economics, public administration, renewable energy or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience: At least five years of relevant professional work experience, some of which should be at the international level and involve the private sector. Practical experience in the renewable energy sector, renewable energy project preparation and facilitation, banking and project finance, project management, risk mitigation. Good knowledge about the different financial instruments and financial products available in the market.

Language: Excellent command of written and spoken English. Fluency in other UN languages would be an advantage.

*****

Qualified candidates must apply for the above-mentioned vacancy on-line, through IRENA’s recruitment platform, ORC by submitting a complete and comprehensive application, CV and a letter of interest, including details of three professional references who will be contacted if their application is shortlisted.

Applications from qualified women, especially from nationals of developing countries, are highly encouraged.

Please note that only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted for an interview and will receive notice of the outcome of the selection process.